Welcome to the Woodstock -
Preservation ArchivesDedicated to the Historic Preservation of
the Site of the 1969 Woodstock Festival

THE WOODSTOCK SITE
Hurd & West Shore Rds
Sullivan County
Bethel NY

Disappointed, Preservationists Weigh In
The Towne Crier, September 10-23, 2002

We (the Woodstock Preservation Alliance) are releasing a statement
to the Town of Bethel and all agents of the media regarding the
current Environmental Impact Statement and its implications for the
original 38 acres known as the Woodstock Site in Bethel, New York.
It has been a long road in the process of approving plans for the
Bethel Performing Arts District and all parties concerned are hoping
for an outcome that will not only be of the best benefit to the
residents of Bethel and Sullivan County, but will be one that will
satisfy the need to preserve an historic landmark that is believed
to belong to the world. The WPA respects that what one does with
their own property is of little business to others; however, with
respect to this particular landmark, historic preservation
transcends ownership.

The WPA has always embraced the idea of a performing arts district
which will bring the arts and financial gain to Bethel and Sullivan
County. However, the WPA is against any buildings of permanent
structures anywhere on the original 38-acre site, and any type of
security fencing that will enclose this beautiful green space into a
compound, disallowing freedom to gather to reflect on its beauty and
meaning. Through aggressive public and media awareness campaigning
and internet communications, the WPA has amassed significant support
through the signing of petitions. These petitions are scheduled to
be presented to the Joint Committee by Sept. 12. It was hoped that
the final draft EIS would have brought news that the Gerry
Foundation had seen the light and chose to put the proposed
development away from the original 38-acre site. This, however, was
not the case. It appears that the Gerry Foundation has chosen
cost-effectiveness and the “bottom line” over the need to preserve a
truly unique historic landmark. Simply stated, the Woodstock
Preservation Alliance is very disappointed in this decision.

The WPA is a diverse group that spans generations and a wide
spectrum of education, vocation and influence, have all reviewed the
Environmental Impact Statement. Although parts of the document are
found to be sound in principal, the idea of building the core
activities buildings on the site is contrary to the supporters’
stand of creating an “intelligent business plan that works.” To
carve up and exploit the very landmark that will set this PAC apart
from all others, is not only short-sighted, but is neither
intelligent, nor will it work. The Bethel PAC with these types of
modifications to the site may very well turn off more visitors than
recruit their patronage. Is the Joint Council prepared to approve a
plan that could jeopardize the hopes and dreams for their community?

The WPA, who was once referred to as “an insignificant group of
insignificant people,” has grown in great numbers across North
America and abroad. Its means of spreading information for all to
make “informed” opinions on the fate of the site has proven quite
successful. The overall sentiment thus far is that a PAC is a
positive addition to the county; however, development of the site
poses a detrimental risk to the venture. The WPA is urging the Joint
Council to reject the proposal and tell the Gerry Foundation to
build the core activities buildings somewhere else, and not on the
38-acre site. There are 1,400 acres to work with and building on the
top of the site is unnecessary.

The WPA wants only the best for Bethel and Sullivan County. It wants
only what is right for the Woodstock site, which is a legacy to a
generation and modern history. The WPA is prepared to use its
established influence to ask supporters to spread the word through
communications with tourism bureaus, press, family and friends, to
come to Bethel and enjoy the wonderful new Performing Arts District.
WPA supporters, which come from your own backyard, to Norway to
Australia, are very dedicated and are ready to work with Bethel to
promote this venture and make it work. The WPA, also believes in
informed decisions, and therefore if the site is built on, the same
diligent communication can be expected in informing the public and
media of what has happened to the site. It will then be up to the
public to decide whether to come or not, or up to tourism bureaus to
promote your area. That is a gamble that the Joint Council seems to
be willing to make. Again, the WPA believes in free speech and
believes that what happens to the site is of interest to all. The
organization has always tried to be fair in its assessment of the
situation and has been the only real player to go out of its way to
not make this a “local” issue. Should the decision be made to
develop and fence the site, the WPA hopes that the rest of the
state, country, continent, and world will be as enthusiastic as
Bethel about the decision.

The WPA truly hopes to be able to work together to make the
Performing Arts District a success for all. It has been an exercise
in democracy and all sides have made their positions clear. It is a
difficult choice that the Joint Council must make and the WPA
extends its best wishes. On behalf of all who revere the site of the
969 Woodstock Music and Art fair, we the Woodstock Preservation
Alliance wish the Joint Committee and the Town of Bethel wisdom and
clarity in its final decision.

The Woodstock - Preservation Archives uses sights and sounds of this
historical event copyrighted by individuals and corporations, and is protected under code 17 U.S.C. Â§ 107 (1988 ed. and Supp. IV),known
as the Fair Use Provision.